Qingming Jie (All Souls Day)

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Visitors to a temple offering prayer to their ancestors during Qingming.

Qingming falls on the 106th day after the Winter Solstice. This is a day to remember and to pray to one's deceased ancestors. In the old days people would spend the day sweeping the graves of their ancestors, thus giving rise to the phrase "ta qinq" meaning to wander freely on the green. In urban Singapore where cremation is now more common, prayers and offerings are made at the columbarium or temples where the ashes or memorial tablets are kept. Visits to commemorate the deceased ancestors can be made either 10 days before or after Qingming.

Many local Chinese clan associations hold a "Spring Prayer Rite" to enable their members to pay homage to their common ancestors together.